Jaylen Bowden, transfer cornerback from NC Central, commits to Gophers

Bowden is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jaylen Bowden
Jaylen Bowden / NC Central Athletics

Just minutes after Illinois State defensive end Steven Curtis committed to the Minnesota Gophers on Sunday morning, a cornerback from the FCS level followed suit.

Jaylen Bowden, a 6-foot-2 corner from North Carolina Central, announced his commitment to the University of Minnesota football team.

Bowden, who has two years of eligibility remaining, finished the 2024 season with 19 tackles, one interception and seven pass breakups.

Bowden, who was unrated as a recruit coming out of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C., will have a chance to compete for playing time in an extremely young cornerback room that will be replacing Justin Walley and Ethan Robinson.


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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.